In a posting on Twitter, Thompson wrote, "Reid: Jobless men = domestic abuse. Is he saying we should be worried about Mrs. Reid after the November elections?"

Thompson's comment comes days after Reid discussed the correlation between unemployment and domestic abuse on the Senate floor.

"I have met with some people at home, dealing with domestic abuse," Reid said on Monday. "It has gotten out of hand. Why? Men don't have jobs. Women don't have jobs either but women aren't abusive, most of the time. Men, when they are out of work, tend to become abusive."

Reid defended his comments Tuesday when questioned by reporters.

"There is no question that more people being out of work causes more people to be involved in domestic violence," said Reid. "I mean I didn't make that up, I was told that by two people who run domestic violence shelters."

Reid spokesman Jim Manley called Thompson's comments "unfortunate" in an e-mail to CNN.

"While Fred Thompson may think he was being funny, it is unfortunate and disappointing that so many on the right would make light of domestic abuse."

Thompson's political action committee did not respond to numerous requests for comment from CNN.

soundoff(90 Responses)

Harry Reid needs to be voted out. For the sake of our nation, I hope individuals in Nevada vote in an individual with common sense, care for citizens, and one whose mouth isn't always flapping.

These comments are disgusting. Harry Reid should resign on his own.

February 24, 2010 08:11 pm at 8:11 pm |

Dan in Louisville

Reid has been the political definition of domestic abuse – given what he, Pelosi and Obama are putting the country through.

February 24, 2010 08:11 pm at 8:11 pm |

Anonymous

Reid = insane

February 24, 2010 08:13 pm at 8:13 pm |

Carl Justus

Is fred Thompson thinking that Reid is as ineffective as he is running for office.
Thompson could not even make a fair showing the reddest state in the union in the last republican primary.

February 24, 2010 08:14 pm at 8:14 pm |

Albo58

Harry Reid suffers from severe Joe Biden disease and the only known cure is a post-political career retirement. As concerned Americans, let's send Harry home!

February 24, 2010 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

Carl Justus

Thompson got so few votes he supports the open carry of guns for he afraid to walk down the street unarmed.

February 24, 2010 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

babs

Thompson is a reactionary idiot. Domestic violence and poverty ARE connected. It' s just statistics. For Thompson to get all bent over this simple, factual statement is, at best reactionary. At worst it makes me wonder how Ms. Thompson is doing.

February 24, 2010 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

annie against biased news

I would worry about Mrs. Reid regardless – well – maybe it is I feel sorry for her being married to stinky harry.

February 24, 2010 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

LYNETTE IN CA

The repugs crack me up! They just make things up daily as they go along. This has been politician is pulling a Cheney (a.k.a., has been politician). He's coming out of the woodwork like a termite!!

Be careful of the infestation called the repugs!

February 24, 2010 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |

rdepontb

Mr. Thompson,

What poor civility, poor taste, and lack of good sense your comment demonstrates. There is nothing at all funny or lighthearted about domestic abuse, sir. Mr. Reid used it as a sad but true example of another tragedy, the loss of jobs in this country, and its effects on our families.

To suggest that Mr. Reid's wife and family will face abuse...to what end would you make such a wiseacre comment? Really?

February 24, 2010 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |

Jeff

Yes, it's always "unfortunate" when someone's witticism happens to be right on target.

February 24, 2010 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

Scott, Tucson

If I understand Reid's thinking, if two people were to tell him that they needed health care and supportive are of higher taxes than that means the nation feels the same way?

Folks...if you're unemployed please don't take it out on your spouse or kids, take it out on your politicians you would feel better.

February 24, 2010 08:26 pm at 8:26 pm |

Anonymous

Thompson was irrelevant in 2008 and stil is. His comment shows how small minded he is and how little he knows about social moree's.
Experts have always said joblessness and and financial stress lead to domestic abuse. It also leads to divorce.
Thompsons supposed joke about Reid also applies to him. so what's the answer?
CNN- He was not speaking as an "Actor" – he was speaking as a cinservative politician. The more appropriate headline would have been...
Twit Tweets

February 24, 2010 08:27 pm at 8:27 pm |

bodacious

Whether as a player on tv's Law and Order or as a politician, this man is plying his acting skills. And apparently he likes to make fun of jobless men with overwhelming responsibilities.

February 24, 2010 08:28 pm at 8:28 pm |

Bill from CA

I can't believe conservatives still roll Thompson out, after the complete joke he made of himself during the primaries.

February 24, 2010 08:29 pm at 8:29 pm |

Al Boree

What Harry Reid said is not rocket science. Even senile dim wits like Fred Thomson should be able to figure that out, were it not for their need to score partisan points over the simplest of issues that should transcend party politics.

February 24, 2010 08:29 pm at 8:29 pm |

Sparky

Fraud Thompson..........this dude has the personality of a dead moth

February 24, 2010 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

JJ

He should stick to his day job and continue being a "b" actor.

February 24, 2010 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

Charlie in Maine

Fred who?

February 24, 2010 08:31 pm at 8:31 pm |

David R. Scott

This actor is just a stupid rip-publican lying moron who thinks that he could have been president. He can't even act.
Just another rip-publican loser who think he can fool the American people.

February 24, 2010 08:33 pm at 8:33 pm |

Cindy

Twittering = pressing send before thinking.

February 24, 2010 08:33 pm at 8:33 pm |

Jerdawge

Harry Reid is a disgusting, lying hypocrite. I'm glad Fred Thompson made fun of this buffoon.

February 24, 2010 08:39 pm at 8:39 pm |

Reggie

Reid is doing his best to mess this country up. Luckily, we only have 9 more months of him before he looses his reelection.

February 24, 2010 08:41 pm at 8:41 pm |

Chandler

Harry Reid was correct, and he was just stating a fact. Mr. Thompson's comment is shameful.